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A CHRISTMAS PARTY 
FOR SANTA CLAUS 


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Copyright, IQ12, by 

Rand McNally a Company 





B5.ECTROTYPED AND PRINTED BY 

CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 


5£CI.A3:i039() 


“gANTA CLAUS is such a dear old 
fellow.” Dremia breathed a long 
sigh of satisfaction as she closed her 
Christmas book and dropped it on the 
low chair beside the couch where she was 
lying. She had been reading by the last 
rays of sunset light streaming through 
the window at the head of the couch. 
Now she nestled down among the cush- 
ions and lay watching the shadow elves 
as they chased the sunbeam fairies away, 



6 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

and played bugaboo behind every post 
and tree. But Dremia did not play with 
them as usual. She was too busy think- 
ing of Santa Claus. 

“He is always doing something for 
some one,” she mused. “I wonder why 
no one has ever thought to do anything 
for him! Wouldn’t it be fun to have a 
party for him! — a real Christmas party — 
and invite all the folks from Dreamland, 
Fairyland, and Make-believe Land; Santa 
Claus Land, too, of course. We could 
have a Christmas tree, and everybody 
could bring a present, and we could 
have a supper afterward. I’ll do it!” 
And she bounced up and down on the 
springs of the old couch in her excitement. 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


7 


“I’ll ask Fairy Godmother to come 
and help me plan it. She loves to do such 
things. She and Santa Claus are just like 
each other, only different! I know she’ll 
come if I can only get the charm right.” 

Dremia turned over, buried her face 
in the pillow, and began repeating: 

“One, two, three! Earth, air, and sea. 

Fairy Godmother bring to me! 

Tiny steeds and coach resplendent. 

At her slightest wish attendant. 

While, unseeing, I implore. 

Bring, oh, bring her to my door!” 

Dremia’s voice died away in a long- 
drawn murmur. She lay perfectly still, 
holding her breath for fear she might 
break the charm. 

Hark! Wasn’t that the stamping of 
tiny hoofs before her door? Wasn’t that 


8 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 


the rustle of a silken gown by her side? 
Dremia raised her head quickly. Sure 
enough, there on the low chair by the 
couch, her fairy wand lying on the Christ- 
mas book, sat Fairy Godmother herself. 
She turned with a smile on her face as 
Dremia raised her head. 

“One, two, three! Earth, air, and sea 
Fairy Godmother brought to thee. 

Tiny steeds and coach resplendent. 

At my slightest wish attendant, 

Wait before thy close-shut door. 

Prithee, say, what wilt thou more? 

“What now, child? What is thy wish? 
A diamond necklace, or gold furniture, 
or a coach and four?” asked she. 

“No, no! Nothing for myself this time, 
dear Fairy Godmother,” cried Dremia, 
jumping up hastily to greet her. “But 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


9 


it is Christmas night, and Santa Claus 
has brought me ever so many pretty gifts 
this year. He has made me so happy 
that, as I lay here, I was wishing I could 
do something for him. Then a delightful 
thought came to me, and I wanted you 
to help me plan a surprise for him. Don’t 
you b’lieve he would like a Christmas 
party, dear Fairy Godmother?” 

“A Christmas party! A party for 
Santa Claus! Why, Dremia, who ever 
heard of such a thing!” 

“I don’t ’spect any one ever did. Fairy 
Godmother. And that is why I thought 
it would be fun. Couldn’t we have a 
Christmas tree, and everybody come and 
bring presents?” 


10 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“A Christmas tree for Santa Claus!” 
said Fairy Godmother rather breathlessly, 
her eyes twinkling with fun as the thought 
grew more familiar. “Dremia, we’ll do it, 
as sure as you live! We’ll do it this very 
night! Santa Claus is at home now, fast 
asleep. He is so tired from his Christmas 
Eve trip around the world that we can 
get everything ready before he wakes.” 

“But how can you invite all the peo- 
ple so quickly?” objected Dremia. “And 
where will you have the party? And how 
can you get everything ready if all the 
little people of Santa Claus Land are 
tired out and asleep too?” 

“Oh, no trouble at all!” loftily an- 
swered Fairy Godmother. “We will 


PLANNING THE PARTY 11 

have it at Santa Claus Hall, Santa 
Claus’s own home, which is built in the 
center of Santa Claus Land. We will send 
the Old Woman Who Sweeps the Cobwebs 
Out of the Sky to clean up the house for 
us. Mother Hubbard will go with her 
and get her cupboard ready to hold the 
goodies until it is time to set the table 
for the party. The Poor Dog will not 
want any bone because he will have so 
much supper afterwards. Jack of the 
Beanstalk can take his hatchet and cut 
down the biggest tree in Santa Claus Land 
for a Christmas tree. If his hatchet is 
sharp enough to hitch him up the bean- 
stalk, I think it will do for that, too. 

“Come, Dremia! Put on your cloak 


12 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

and hood, and I will take you in the 
pumpkin coach to my house. I can plan 
so much faster there.” 

“Why, how can I ride in the little 
pumpkin coach. Fairy Godmother?” cried 
Dremia, as she obediently slipped on her 
coat and tied her hood tightly under her 
chin. “I’m too big.” 

“Any one I wish can ride in my coach,” 
answered Fairy Godmother. “Didn’t 
Cinderella, and Peter Pumpkin, and other 
dear friends of yours? Besides, you are 
not so big as you think,” touching the 
little girl with her wand as she spoke. 
“Look in the glass, Dremia!” 

Dremia looked up, and in the glass 
before her saw two little figures reflected. 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


13 


One was Fairy Godmother, surely, in her 
peaked cap, flowing silken skirts, and 
high-heeled slippers with bows and silver 
buckles. But who was the other, that wee 
maiden in a red cloak and hood, gazing 
at her with startled eyes? Why-ee, was 
it her own self? 

“Oh, goody, goody! Guess I can ride 
in the pumpkin coach now. But shan’t 
I be too heavy for the mouse-gray steeds. 
Fairy Godmother?” she asked, as she hur- 
ried along by the Fairy Godmother’s side 
to the place where the golden coach stood 
waiting. 

“No, they are steeds from Fairyland, 
strong and nimble,” Fairy Godmother 
answered, helping her in, and nodding 


14 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

brightly to the coachman as she spoke. 

The footman slammed the door of the 
coach, the coachman gathered up the shin- 
ing reins, snapped his whip over the heads 
of the mouse-gray steeds, and away they 
went. 

In just two jiffies, two wags of a lamb’s 
tail, and the twinkling of an eye, the coach 
drew up before the quaintest of cottages, 
such as only a Fairy Godmother would 
think of having. There it stood, under 
the Wishing Tree, right in the center of 
Everywhere, with the Children’s World all 
around it — Fairyland, Santa Claus Land, 
Toyland, Dreamland, and Make-believe 
Land — and Mortal Land dimly seen be- 
yond. 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


15 


“I suppose it looks rather queer to 
you,” said Fairy Godmother. “But you 
see, the Old Woman Who Sweeps has a 
room in the attic, and it is much more 
convenient for her to come in through 
that big skylight; so I must have that. 
Then Mother Hubbard and the Poor Dog 
also live with me since Father Hubbard 
died, and her cupboard takes up so much 
room that the kitchen is the biggest part 
of the house. The Queen That Eats 
Bread and Honey likes to come here, 
too, and of course the kitchen must be 
nice for her. Come in, Dremia!” open- 
ing the door and leading the little girl in. 

Dremia gasped with astonishment as 
she looked about her. There was a big 


16 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

fireplace with a chimney large enough for 
the gnomes and brownies to come down 
whenever they were in too much of a hurry 
to enter at the door. For that matter, 
fairy folk do not need doors, anyway. 
They just have to think where they want 
to be, and presto! there they are. 

In the big fireplace was a splendid 
fire of sweet-smelling woods crackling and 
blazing brightly. Two grotesque little 
fire elves with long pokers in their hands 
kept careful watch over the fire. Around 
the room there were odd-shaped toadstool 
chairs and tables. Couches as soft and 
cozy as humming birds’ nests were piled 
with rose-leaf and poppy-petal pillows. 
Glow-worm lamps hung twinkling from 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


17 


the ceiling. Spider-web portieres and cur- 
tains were draped at doorways and win- 
dows. Thick gray and green moss rugs 
were spread upon the floors, and all the 
other dainty furnishings that fairies love 
were to be seen. 

“Come, now we must get to work!” 
cried Fairy Godmother, bustling about. 
“Mother Hubbard! Oh, Mother Hub- 
bard!” And as that lady hastily appeared 
at the door. Fairy Godmother continued: 

“Put a glow-worm lamp up on the 
skylight to let the Old Woman Who 
Sweeps know we want her. Then sum- 
mon Giant Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum and have him 
carry your cupboard over to Santa Claus’s 
house. Tell him he shall have a roast 


18 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

sirloin of beef with a sprig of holly on it 
for his supper, which will be much better 
for his digestion than the blood of an 
Englishman. Then have the Old Woman 
Who Sweeps go over to Santa Claus’s with 
you and straighten up the rooms and 
make everything ready for us. 

“Let me see! Oh, yes; after the Giant 
brings your cupboard, send Jack of the 
Beanstalk and the Giant to find the very 
biggest tree in Santa Claus Land, and have 
them put it up in the farther end of Santa 
Claus’s main hall. Call the gnomes and 
the kobolds, and tell them to stir up a 
roaring fire and to decorate the hall with 
forest greens. They can stay around in the 
corners and see the frolic. Yes, take the 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


19 


Poor Dog along! He will want a share 
in the fun too. Only be careful he does 
not get into a fuss with Puss in Boots.” 

“I was just about to buy him a coffin, 
ma’am,” said Mother Hubbard. “But 
perhaps he would rather go to the party.” 

“Very well, hurry along!” commanded 
Fairy Godmother. “And if you need any 
help wake some of the little people of Santa 
Claus Land. They have had sleep enough 
by this time. Only do not wake Santa 
Claus yet, whatever you do!” 

Mother Hubbard bobbed her head in 
reply, and disappeared, slamming the door 
after her in her excitement. 

“Now for the invitations!” said Fairy 
Godmother. 


20 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“How can you send them, God- 
mother?” asked Dremia. “Who can go all 
over Fairyland and Dreamland and Make- 
believe Land, and Santa Claus Land, and 
get all the folks to Santa Claus Hall in 
time for the party?” 

“Why, Puck and Ariel, to be sure,” 
answered Fairy Godmother, briskly. 
“Puck, you know, can put a girdle round 
the world in forty minutes, and you can 
travel in no time all over Fairyland and 
Dreamland, while in Make-believe Land, 
Imagination takes you anywhere in a 
flash.” 

Stepping to a window that looked 
toward Fairyland, she opened it, and lean- 
ing far out, rang a sweet-toned silver bell. 



Page 21 


Puck and Ariel floated in through the window 






PLANNING THE PARTY 


21 


To Dremia the peals seemed to say: 

“Come, come, come! 

Sprite and fairy, come! 

Haste to do my bidding! 

Haste, for I am waiting! 

Puck and Ariel, come! 

Come, come, come!” 

Scarcely had the echoes died away when 
Puck and Ariel floated lightly in through 
the window. Puck was dressed in a 
brilliant suit of orange and yellow that 
made him look like a gorgeous butterfly, 
while Ariel was clad in a suit of palest 
green as delicate as that of a katydid. 

They came directly to Fairy God- 
mother, who had seated herself on her 
tallest toadstool chair, and, doffing each 
his tiny cap, bowed before her with' a 
flourish, repeating together: 


22 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“Swiftly, without halt or rest, 

We have come at thy behest. 

Tell us, what is thy command? 

We will go o’er sea or land. 

Only let us know thy will, 

And thy bidding we’ll fulfill.” 

“My faithful little messengers ! I knew 
I could depend on you,” said Fairy God- 
mother, approvingly. “But you will need 
to make haste. Now, listen closely while 
I give you my message. To-night Dremia 
wishes to have a party for Santa Claus, 
and desires all his friends and associates in 
Fairyland, Dreamland, Toyland, Make- 
believe Land, and Santa Claus Land 
invited. Go, then, and bid them all 
come! Tell each one to bring a gift to 
hang on the tree and some goodies for the 
supper that will follow. 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


23 


“Puck, go thou to Fairyland and Toy- 
land. Ariel, turn thou to Dreamland, 
where the swift nightmare will carry thee 
fast and far. Then on to Make-believe 
Land, where the flighty steed Imagina- 
tion will await thee. Only be careful 
that Imagination run not away with thee. 
Now away, away!” 

“Godmother, dear, may I not go with 
them?” pleaded Dremia. “I have always 
wanted to go to Fairyland, and Toyland, 
and Make-believe Land.” 

“I hardly see how it can be managed,” 
doubtfully replied Fairy Godmother. 
“They are going different ways.” 

“Couldn’t I go with Puck first, and 
then with Ariel ?” begged Dremia. “I don’t 


24 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

want to go to Dreamland, for I can go 
there any night by myself. And besides, 
I should be afraid, if he intends to ride 
that dreadful nightmare. She goes so 
fast and furiously, and takes you over such 
frightful precipices, and through fire and 
water. You will take me with you, will 
you not, dear Puck?” asked Dremia, 
turning to him. 

“Surely we can manage it, little lady,” 
answered Puck. “Thou canst go with 
me to Fairyland and Toyland while Ariel 
goeth to Dreamland. Then we can meet 
him, and thou canst accompany him to 
Make-believe Land while I wake the little 
people of Santa Claus Land. Will that 
do?” 


PLANNING THE PARTY 


25 


“That will be just the nicest way,” 
joyfully replied Dremia. 

“Off with you, then!” said Fairy God- 
mother. “For I still have much to do. 
Tell them all to be at Santa Claus Hall 
by one of the clock!” 





Puck took Dremia’s hand gently in 
his, she felt herself rise from the floor, 
and the red cloak seemed to buoy her up 
and bear her onward. At first all was dark 
about them, but gradually the way grew 
lighter until they found themselves in the 
heart of Fairyland, where it is always 
bright. For there the pleasant sunlight 
in which the fairies love to work among the 
flowers and trees, and to help their friends 
the birds and bees, grows dim only to make 


27 


28 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

way for the still more pleasant moonlight 
in which the fairies frolic and revel to their 
hearts’ content. 

Puck and Dremia passed through cool 
and mysterious forests where wonderful 
birds with brilliant plumage were gayly 
caroling. Dremia saw the timid forest 
fairies peeping shyly at them from behind 
the mossy trunks of the trees. Through 
lovely gardens they went, where flowers 
more splendid than Dremia had ever 
imagined nodded and bloomed, and where 
bees and butterflies feasted and floated, 
tasting, and sipping, and carrying away 
the delicious fairy honey which the flowers 
always had ready for them. 

On they went through shadowy valleys. 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


29 


where the tinkle of waterfalls and the mur- 
mur of running brooks could be faintly 
heard. On, on, and as yet no message had 
been delivered. Dremia wondered why. 

“We must deliver our message first to 
the king and queen of Fairyland,” said 
Puck, answering Dremia’s unspoken ques- 
tion. 

At last they came to a place where the 
moonlight was a little softer, the trees a 
little richer green, the flowers brighter and 
more fragrant, the music of the birds and 
the murmur of the brooks sweeter than 
anywhere else. In the midst of all this 
beauty Oberon and Titania loved to hold 
their court. Dremia rubbed her eyes to 
make sure she saw clearly. On a throne of 


30 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

ivory and mother-of-pearl, in their robes 
of state, sat the king and queen. Oberon, 
clad in royal purple robes with facings of 
gold, and a gold crown on his head, was 
a king beyond compare. Titania, dressed 
in gleaming white, with strings of fairy 
pearls around her throat and waist, was 
a vision of loveliness. The diamond coro- 
net resting on her dusky hair sparkled 
like dewdrops in the moonbeams. 

Around the throne were gathered the 
lords and ladies of the fairy court, the 
gentlemen in rich attire of orange, purple, 
red, and dark green, the ladies in gowns 
of palest pink, lavender, yellow, and blue, 
all together forming a rainbow. 

A tiny page with a honeysuckle 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


31 


trumpet heralded the arrival of Puck and 
Dremia. 

“Approach!” graciously commanded 
the king. “From whom dost thou come, 
and what is thy business with us this 
evening?” 

“We are messengers from the Fairy 
Godmother, 0 King!” answered Puck. 
“She and little Lady Dremia are giving a 
party forSantaClaus to-night, and request 
the honor of thy presence with that of thy 
courtiers. In the far-famed Santa Claus 
Hall, at one of the clock, will the friends 
and associates of Santa Claus gather to 
greet him and spend some happy hours.” 

“Gladly and promptly will we be there, 
0 messenger,” answered the king. “The 


32 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

wish of the Fairy Godmother is as a com- 
mand to all the fairies, and we would also 
honor the good Santa Claus and little 
Lady Dremia with our presence. Rich 
gifts will we bring to him who is always 
giving to others, even as do the fairies. 
But stay thou and sup with us.” 

“Nay, 0 King! A good messenger 
delays not, thou knowest. Speed us on 
our way, I pray thee, for we have yet other 
lands to visit. The message must be 
carried far and wide.” 

“Go, then!” commanded Oberon. 
“But some day when the case is not so 
urgent, bring again the little Lady Dremia 
to our court, and we will show her caskets 
of rare jewels, and all the riches and 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


33 


wonders of Fairyland. Will we not, my 
merry men and maidens?” 

“Yes, your Majesty,” came a chorus 
of soft voices. “A friend of Fairy God- 
mother’s is always most welcome at our 
revels.” 

“Draw near before thou goest, little 
Lady Dremia,” said Titania, who had 
hitherto been silent. “Art thou a good 
child? a lover of the fairies as well as of 
Santa Claus.?” 

“Oh, your Majesty, I love them 
dearly,” stammered Dremia, her heart 
fluttering with excitement. 

“Then will I touch thee with my scep- 
ter, that thou may’st ever be able to see 
us as we play in the forests or among the 


34 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

flowers, and never grow too old to care 
for us. Forget not through thy whole life 
this visit to the fairyland of childhood.” 

Dremia curtsied low to the gracious 
queen. Puck again took her hand, and, 
preceded by the tiny page, they left the 
royal presence and were soon on their way. 

By and by the country through which 
they were passing changed very much in 
appearance. Instead of being beautiful, 
everything was queer, or curious, or 
strange. Dremia could not understand 
why things looked so different. 

“We are coming to Broken Toyland, 
where all the good broken toys go after 
they' leave Mortal Land,” explained Puck. 
“They have had very hard lives, most of 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


35 


them, and gone through terrible expe- 
riences. Glad indeed are they to rest 
forever in this part of No-Man’s Land. 
But they are very sensitive, so if thou dost 
notice anything peculiar in their appear- 
ance, do not speak of it, I pray thee.” 

“I’ll be very, very careful,” promised 
Dremia, earnestly. “I know I don’t like 
to have people notice my pug nose and 
freckles. I always did wonder what be- 
comes of all the old toys the children love 
so much.” 

By this time they were passing through 
groves of stiff little pine trees standing 
in straight rows. Dremia noticed that 
many of the branches were broken and 
the trunks scarred and notched as if by 


36 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

knives. Just beyond the grove was a 
placid lake where floated wrecks of stately 
ships and boats of various kinds. Had 
the lake not been very still and smooth, 
they would probably have sunk, for big 
holes showed in their hulls, many of their 
masts were gone, most of the paint was 
knocked off them, and their timbers 
gaped apart. 

Hardly had they passed the lake when 
Dremia was surprised to see in a green 
meadow many different kinds of animals 
lying down or moving slowly about. 
Horses, cows, pigs, goats, donkeys, and 
sheep were hobnobbing together, while 
dozens of chickens, geese, and turkeys were 
half hopping, half fluttering about. Oh, 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


37 


they did looK so queer! What was the 
matter? Dremia would have liked to call 
Puck’s attention to them, but remem- 
bered what he had said and kept still. 
The fairy seemed to read her thoughts. 

“I know,” said he. “It is very strange 
and sad. Look! Some of the horses have 
only three legs, and some have lost 
their tails. The cows that ought to have 
crumpled horns have none at all. The 
sheep look as if moths had got into their 
wool. The chickens have lost their cackles 
and the ducks their quacks, while the 
turkey tails have all gone to make feather 
dusters, and the geese feathers to make 
doll mattresses. 

“Poor things! Poor things! Had it not 


38 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

been for the thought that Broken Toyland 
awaited them, they never could have 
stood the shock that came when the chil- 
dren so misused them. 

“See, we are coming now to the menag- 
erie. There are Teddy bears that have been 
squeezed to within an inch of their lives. 
Giraffes have had their necks stretched 
until they cracked. The wind-up tigers 
have broken their springs. The monkeys 
have swung till they can swing no more. 
White dromedaries that have been 
dragged in the mud and dirt until they 
do not know themselves are trying to hide 
in dark corners. The elephants have 
gone mad, and thrown off their howdahs, 
and chased their attendants away. What 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


39 


could the children have been thinking of, 
to treat their pets so badly! 

“A little beyond is the military hos- 
pital,” and Puck pointed to a tumble- 
down building ahead of them. “Valiant 
tin soldiers by the dozens are lying on the 
white beds, battered and forlorn, with doll 
nurses caring for them most tenderly. Out- 
side the hospital guns and balls of every 
size are piled in big heaps. Near by is the 
doll hospital, where fussy, important doll 
doctors are giving first aid to injured dolls 
of all sizes and ages. 

“These are the Jacks-in-the-, vainly 
trying to find their boxes,” he continued, 
as some hobgoblin-looking creatures 
scurried past them. “These queer-shaped 


40 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

objects running around in that distracted 
way are the dissected-picture people hunt- 
ing everywhere for their lost pieces. 

“That long, low building is a carriage 
house, where wagon wheels, velocipede 
wheels, and piano legs chase one another 
about, trying to find where they belong. 

“Over here in the concert hall, punc- 
tured drums, trumpets without the blow, 
horns without a key, violins minus 
strings, all together are making a horri- 
ble discord. 

“See all those round things up in the 
air.?” Dremia threw back her head and 
stared intently up at the tiny bobbing 
dots that could be seen in the sky. “Well, 
those are the balloons that got away. The 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


41 


toy villages across the way are filled with 
dishes that have dropped, and furniture 
that has had its arms and legs dislocated. 

“But you will find all the inhabitants 
of Broken Toyland as happy as kings in 
spite of their misfortunes, for they know 
that nothing unpleasant will ever happen 
to them again.” 

Puck stopped in the middle of a flat, 
grassy plain, and picking up a penny 
whistle that lay on a stone near by, just 
as it had been dropped and forgotten by 
some child in Mortal Land, he blew a 
shrill whistle. 

Then pandemonium reigned. Every- 
body and everything tried to get to him 
first. The invalid soldiers, forgetting 


42 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

their aches and pains, hobbled out with 
the pretty doll nurses. Fair lady doll 
patients ran out with the fussy doctors. 
Horses came galloping up on three legs. 
Wagons, velocipedes, wheelbarrows, and 
balls, in every style, rolled up. Teddy 
bears and baa-lambs came together. The 
Jacks-in-the- fairly stood on their heads 
with excitement. Dishes and spoons 
paired off, and the dissected-puzzle people 
mixed themselves up so they never could 
be straightened out. 

Dremia watched them all in amaze- 
ment. Never before had she seen such a 
sight. 

At another shrill note of the whistle 
everybody stopped as still as if playing 



Puck showing Broken Toyland to Dremia 


Page j8 






f 

h 


<z • k » ■ ^' 


>’'^8 

tS*^^ ■ ■'• *> -m* ' :, ■ 

‘ ‘ •T. T'’*- *'• • 




DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


43 


“One, two, three, squat where you be.” 
Raising his voice so he could be heard by 
all. Puck gave his message: 

“Friends of Toyland, ever-living re- 
minders of the happiness Santa Claus has 
given to the children of Mortal Land, hear 
ye the command of Fairy Godmother! 
This very night all the people of all the 
lands that make up the Children’s World 
join in a great Christmas party in honor 
of Santa Claus, given by little Lady 
Dremia and Fairy Godmother at the far- 
famed Santa Claus Hall. Can she depend 
on your being there?” 

“A party for Santa Claus! Would he 
care to see us again?” they cried. 

“Yes, all the more because you are 


44 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

reminders of happy Christmases gone by, 
when he was the giver of happiness,” 
answered Puck. 

“Then will we be there, one and all, 
though we have to come hoppity-jump!” 
they answered in chorus. 

“Fll tell you what,” cried a Jack-in- 
the-, suddenly popping up from his box as 
a broken spring unexpectedly gave way, 
“we’ll get the biggest stocking that ever 
was filled at Christmas time, and hang 
it up on Santa Claus’ chimney piece. Then 
some of us will climb in, fill it to the brim, 
and have a tableau that will make him 
hold his sides with laughter.” 

“Oh, you dear things!” cried Dremia, 
clapping her hands in delight. “I can 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


45 


hardly wait until the time comes to see 
you. I will make faces at you until you 
all laugh and tumble out of the stocking; 
see if I don’t!” 

At once they began to plan who should 
get into the stocking. “Let me!” “Let 
me!” “Let me!” was heard on all sides. 
Dremia and Puck put their hands over 
their ears and fled, laughing, from the 
hubbub. 

“Children’s toys always make such a 
clatter,” said Puck. “Only the fairies have 
the nice, noiseless playthings.” 

“What do the fairies play with?” 
asked Dremia, wonderingly. 

“Oh, pretty seed balls, spider-web ham- 
mocks and swings, grasshopper steeds, 


46 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

and bee lances. We pop the chestnut burs 
and hide in the deserted milkweed pods. 
We play ‘Drop the rose petal’ and ‘Fairy 
wants a flower stalk.’ We join the moon- 
beams in a game of peek-a-boo with the 
quivering birch leaves. There is nothing 
coarse, or cruel, or stupid in our play,” 
answered Puck. 

“Listen!” turning his head as the 
sound of faint, far-off music was borne on 
the breeze. “I hear Ariel coming. He will 
take thee now to Make-believe Land, while 
I go on and wake the little people of Santa 
Claus Land. I will have some fun with 
them, methinks. I will tickle their toes, 
and pull their noses, and twitch the covers 
off them. Time they were up long ago, the 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


47 


little rascals ! Why, they have been sleep- 
ing for hours! Hither, Ariel!” 

Ariel drew rapidly near, singing in a 
sweet voice: 

“Dainty Lady Dremia, 

Wilt thou go with me 
Over hill and mountain, 

Over lake and sea? 

Into every country, 

Into every clime 
Known to varied peoples. 

Known throughout all time? 

Swift Imagination 
Waits to bear us on; 

Dainty Lady Dremia, 

Haste, and we’ll be gone!” 


Loosing her hold of Puck’s hand, 
Dremia turned eagerly toward Ariel. She 
felt herself lifted and borne upward, but 
could not see the shape of the wonderful 
steed carrying her forward so rapidly. 


48 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“Where are we really going, Ariel?” 
asked she. 

“To the homes of all thy old-time 
friends, dear Dremia,” answered Ariel. 
“Thou wilt soon see. Look!” and he 
pointed to a small hut deep in a green 
forest. “Who is that going in at the door?” 

“Little Red Riding Hood, with her 
basket on her arm, going to see her grand- 
mother!” exclaimed Dremia, delightedly, 
waving to her as they passed. 

“And who is that over there?” 

“Oh, Golden Hair and the Three Bears! 
The bears do not look very angry, even if 
she did break their chairs and eat their 
porridge. Do you suppose they will 
come?” 



Ariel and Dremia flying over Make-believe Land 


Page 52 




DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


49 


“Surely they will!” answered Ariel, 
softly chanting his message as they flew 
swiftly onward: 

“Fairy Godmother’s greetings! Come one, come all, 

To a Christmas party at Santa Claus Hall, 

With a gift in thy hand for the good Saint Nick. 

No time for delay! Be quick! Be quick!” 

“Seel there under the trees are Beauty 
and the Beast,” said Dremia. “How he 
does love her, and how good she is to him! 
And I am sure that is Hansel leading Gre- 
tel along that narrow path. Are we near 
the cottage of the old witch ? I am so glad 
she did not eat them up that time she had 
them. Isn’t that Undine down by the 
waterfall } Do you think she will play any 
tricks on Santa Claus if she comes to- 
night.^ And the Water-babies in the 


50 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

Stream a little farther on ! Do you suppose 
they will come with her? 

“They hear you, Ariel ! They hear you ! 
And there is Jack the Giant-Killer’s little 
house! I wonder where he keeps his 
famous hatchet. Oh, my! That is the 
Giant’s castle up on that cliff, isn’t it? 
I hope he won’t come unless he has a big 
supper first. I’m afraid of him! 

“Now I can see Sleeping Beauty’s 
castle and the tower where she lay sleeping 
when the Right Prince kissed her. And 
there is the palace of the king who had 
the four-and-twenty-blackbird pie! Do 
you suppose he would show it to us if 
we stopped? Next to it is Aladdin’s 
wonderful palace, with the light of the 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


51 


magic lamp shining through the win- 
dows. Make every one of them hear, 
Ariel! I know they will all come!” 

Swiftly forward they went. The open 
door of a cave in a rocky ledge attracted 
Dremia’s attention. 

“Is it the cave of the Forty Thieves, 
where all the jewels and gold and silver 
dishes are shut up, Ariel If we should say 
‘Open, sesame!’ could we get in, do you 
suppose.? Wish we had time to try! 

“Oh, look at that beautiful garden over 
there, with the silver bells and cockle shells ! 
I know that belongs to Mistress Mary. 
Will she be too contrary to come, do you 
think, Ariel.?” 

Soon they were passing over a quaint, 


52 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 


old-fashioned village. A boy with a 
squealing pig over his shoulder was run- 
ning down the street. 

“Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son, as I live!” 
laughed Dremia. “And there is Simple 
Simon fishing in that pail. The Jack 
Sprats, Boy Blue, Little Miss Muffet, J ack 
Horner, and lots of my other friends live 
in this village, Ariel. Be sure to make 
them hear.” 

“They will all hear. Lady Dremia. 
Thou needst not fear,” answered Ariel. 

By and by Dremia noticed the blue 
waters of the sea beneath her. Glancing 
down, she saw a queer craft putting out 
from the shore. 

“Oh, the Three Wise Men of Gotham 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


53 


are putting to sea in their bowl!” she 
cried. “Call them quickly, Ariel, before 
they are upset. And see this pretty island 
we are coming to! It’s Robinson Crusoe’s 
island, I know. Do you s’pose he and his 
man Friday will come, Ariel.?” 

The Little Lame Prince went sailing 
by on his magic carpet. Dremia called to 
him as he passed, and he smiled and 
nodded back to her. 

On they went, Ariel delivering his 
message here, there, and everywhere, in 
the very strangest places you can think of. 
He paused once at a house made from 
an old shoe, with forty-’leven children 
tumbling out of every crack and crevice. 
He stopped at a stable where a beautiful 


54 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

black horse lived, and at a dog kennel with 
a message for a faithful dog. 

A small rabbit in a rabbit hutch cocked 
up one ear to listen. A frog sitting on a 
rock in a stream went ker-splash into the 
water, he was so pleased when he heard 
the invitation. 

Ariel knocked loudly at a half-hidden 
door in a mountain side, and told the Pied 
Piper he must be sure to bring his children, 
for a Christmas party without children, 
even if Santa Claus were there, would not 
be a Christmas party at all. 

On, on — until the message had been 
delivered to every one that Dremia could 
possibly think of. “I am sure that is all, 
dear Ariel!” she sighed blissfully. 


DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS 


55 


“Then must we be returning, Lady 
Dremia!” answered Ariel. “It will never 
do for the guests to arrive first at Santa 
Claus Hall. Listen!” 

From all over the Children’s World 
came the sound of happy laughter, and of 
merry bustle and confusion. One and all 
were primping and preparing for the trip 
to Santa Claus Hall. Indeed, some had 
already started, each with an appropriate 
gift in his hand to hang on the Christmas 
tree or place on the Christmas table. 

Dremia and Ariel were borne on lightly 
before them. “We shall arrive first; do 
not fear. Lady Dremia!” said Ariel. 
“Naught can exceed in swiftness the 
flight of Imagination.” 





“’yyHIR-R-R-R-R-R-R,” sounded the 
warning note. 

Hickory Dickory Dock, who had run 
away up to the top of the tall grand- 
father’s clock which stood on the stairway 
in Santa Claus Hall, sat up suddenly, his 
heart fluttering, his beady black eyes 
gleaming, his whiskers twitching with ex- 
citement. 

Mother Hubbard and the Old Woman 
Who Sweeps were taking their last look 


57 


58 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

around the rooms to be sure everything 
was in readiness. The floor of the great 
hall was as clean as broom could make it. 
Down at the farther end, behind an im- 
mense screen, stood a stately Christmas 
tree, all ready for the lights and the gifts. 
A huge fire had been laid in the fireplace, 
and the fire elves had promised to touch 
it off at the proper moment so that the 
flames would illumine the whole hall. 

Holly wreaths and bunches of mistle- 
toe hung about, while Christmas garlands 
of all kinds were festooned from the rafters 
and windows. 

Santa Claus, in the next room, had 
just awakened with a yawn, and now could 
be heard moving about, getting ready to 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 59 

come to his cozy seat by the fire, all un- 
conscious of what awaited him. 

Low giggles and a faint rustling behind 
another tall screen at one side of the fire- 
place betrayed the presence of the people 
from Toyland, making ready for their 
tableau. They had borrowed the stocking 
of Giant Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, and were having 
a great time filling it. It was pretty well 
worn and had holes in toe and heel, but 
that suited them all the better, for they 
could peep out and see more of the fun. 

The patter of feet outside was evidence 
that Puck had thoroughly waked the little 
people of Santa Claus Land with his 
pranks, and that they were ready for their 
part of the program. 


60 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“0-N-E,” solemnly struck the old 
clock on the stair. 

Hickory Dickory Dock, half fright- 
ened to death, ran down the clock and 
scurried to his hole in the wall, leaving not 
so much as a whisker to be seen. Mother 
Hubbard and the Old Woman Who 
Sweeps had mysteriously vanished. 

Santa Claus pulled on his high boots 
with a stamp, and laying his hand on the 
door knob, opened the door with a jerk. 
As he did so, the fire elves, who had 
touched off their fire, blew with all their 
might and main, so that the dancing 
flames made the hall bright. 

The bustle behind the fireplace screen 
ceased. Santa Claus took one step into 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 61 

the hall, rubbing his eyes as he came. 
Suddenly a wild shriek of glee from Old 
Boreas, as he blew around the corner of 
the house, caused Santa Claus to look up. 
The great outside door of the hall was 
flung open with a bang, the fire blazed up 
still brighter, the screen blew over, and 
in at the door poured a crowd of strangely 
familiar people, all laughing, talking, 
and calling at once. 

“Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!” 
“Hurrah for good Saint Nick!” 

“A Christmas party for Santa Claus!” 
“A Christmas tree for Santa Claus!” 
“A Christmas stocking for Santa 
Claus!” 


“Hurrah! Hurrah!” 


62 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

First and foremost came Fairy God- 
mother and Dremia. Advancing gravely 
to Santa Claus, Fairy Godmother took 
him by the hand and led him, still too 
astonished to speak, to a prominent place 
at the head of the hall. 

“Dear Santa Claus,” said Fairy 
Godmother, her sober face belied by the 
twinkle in her eye, “wake, and welcome 
us. We are giving you a Christmas 
party. Dremia, here, thought it was 
too bad you should always be doing nice 
things for others and never have any- 
thing done to make you happy. So we 
have stormed your castle, invited your 
guests, and here we all are, ready for the 
biggest frolic ever known.” 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 63 

Santa Claus, wide awake at last, burst 
into a hearty laugh. 

“Dremia, hey! Oh, you rogue! I 
might have known you would be up to 
something of this sort. You laughed in 
your sleep as I put your gifts in your stock- 
ing last night. So this is what you were 
planning. But I’ll be bound the Fairy 
Godmother had a big share in it too!” 

“Dear Mr. Santa Claus!” said Dremia 
shyly, slipping her hand into his and 
looking up lovingly into his face, “I 
wanted so to do something for you. 
Everybody in the Children’s World loves 
you so much, but we never thought before 
how we could let you know it. 

“But see, Santa Claus!” pointing to 


64 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

the huge stocking by the fireplace. It was 
filled with the funniest folk in all Toyland, 
who were holding themselves perfectly 
rigid for fear they would laugh and spoil 
their tableau. “See what you have in 
your stocking!” 

Santa Claus turned about quickly and 
stared at the stocking and its contents. 
Soberly, for a whole minute, the folk from 
Toyland stared back at him, looking as 
unconscious as possible. Then Santa 
Claus, laughing again, reached out for 
Jumping Jack, who was hanging to the 
toe of the stocking, and pulling his 
string so that he danced a lively jig, said 
merrily: 

“You little rascals! If I don’t get even 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 65 

with you for this my name is not Santa 
Claus.” 

Then with chuckles of glee the waggish 
little urchins from Toyland slipped out of 
the holes or jumped from the top of the 
stocking, scampering away to right and 
left, out of the reach of Santa Claus. 

Meanwhile, the other guests, as they 
came, disappeared for a moment behind 
the big screen, each leaving a mysterious 
looking package. Back and forth, hustle, 
bustle, ran the little people of Santa Claus 
Land, lighting the candles and fixing the 
Christmas tree, for who knew so well as 
they how it should be done? 

Soon the guests gathered about Santa 
Claus like bees around a gorgeous honey 


66 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

flower. Santa Claus, entering into the 
spirit of fun, had a gay, bantering word 
for every one. 

“Your worshipful Majesties,” bowing 
low as Oberon and Titania advanced to 
greet him, “it is a far cry from Fairyland 
to Santa Claus Land. I am overwhelmed 
with the honor you have done me in 
coming to my house to-night. Only the 
F airy Godmother could have brought you, 
I know. Most gladly do I greet you and 
your court. 

“What, more crowned heads!” as the 
King of the Counting House and the 
Queen that ate bread and honey followed 
closely after Oberon and Titania. “Most 
welcome are you both! Did you bring 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 67 

the Maid and the Blackbirds with you?” 

“ Ton my soul, if here aren’t good King 
Cole and his Fiddlers Three! Make your- 
self at home by my fireplace, your Majesty I 
You will find a pipe and bowl handy. 
Station the musicians on the stairway 
landing, where they can play for us. I 
presume the Cat with his fiddle is here 
somewhere in the crowd, and he will be 
happy to join them later. 

“Cinderella, my dear girl! I did not 
know you could be out after twelve. The 
Fairy Godmother has relented since the 
Prince found you, hasn’t she? 

“The Frog Prince and the Haughty 
Princess! What a fine looking couple! 
Well, well! And who is that behind you? 


68 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

Sleeping Beauty, as I live! Wide awake 
now, since the Right Prince kissed her, 
isn’t she? 

“Una and her Lion! Who would 
believe it? And Golden Hair and the 
Three Bears! Don’t you sit through any 
of my chairs, little girl, or I’ll growl worse 
than the bears did. 

“Alice from Wonderland, with the 
March Hare and the Queen of Hearts! 
No heads off to-night, I pray you! 

“Red Riding Hood in the care of the 
Woodchopper! That’s good! Hansel and 
Gretel! Snow White and Rose Red — 
Children of the Forest! I’m glad to see 
you all. 

“Jack Horner, we have a special corner 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 69 

for you. And if there isn’t a plum pie 
somewhere around, my nose misleads me. 

“Boy Blue, give us a blast on your 
wonderful horn! Perhaps you would like 
to join the Fiddlers on the stairway. 

“Mistress Mary, no contrary fits here! 
Not a pout nor a frown permitted. 

“Oh, Jack and Mrs. Sprat! Puss in 
Boots! Little Miss Muffet! Peter Rab- 
bit! How it gladdens my heart to see 
every one of you! 

“Tom the Piper’s Son, and Simple 
Simon! How d’ye do.? Happy as ever, 
though not overburdened with wits .? 
Well, never mind, my boys. Here are 
the Three Wise Men of Gotham, and 
their wisdom did little more for them 


70 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

than your witlessness did for you. 

“Welcome, welcome, dear friends! 
Make yourselves at home. You all know 
one another, Fm sure. Those who live in 
Children’s World need no introductions. 
Fairy Godmother and Dremia have charge 
of everything to-night. Fm only a guest 
myself, they say.” 

After greeting Santa Claus, the guests 
turned to Fairy Godmother and Dremia. 
Fairy Godmother they knew well, but 
Dremia was a stranger to some of them. 
Very sweet she looked as she ^od there, 
her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed 
with excitement. The party was all so 
much lovelier than even she had dreamed 
it would be. 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 71 

She shyly added her welcome to those 
of Santa Claus and Fairy Godmother, and 
then forgot herself entirely as she watched 
the guests moving to and fro, talking 
together and forming such queer groups. 
Young and old, fat and thin, fairies and 
giants, kings and servants, princesses and 
thieves, bears and timid maidens, rabbits 
and pussy cats — all were laughing, joking, 
and having the merriest possible time. 

It was not long before the little people 
of Santa Claus Land had finished their 
work, and, geeping from behind the screen, 
nodded to the Fairy Godmother. She 
nodded back, and turning to the musi- 
cians on the broad landing of the stair, 
gave them the signal to begin. 


72 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

At once they struck up a rollicking 
Christmas tune. The big screen was drawn 
aside by invisible hands, and the most 
wonderful Christmas tree that ever was 
seen stood revealed in all its beauty. Will- 
o’-the-wisp lights gleamed on every twig. 
On the topmost branch swayed a lovely 
fairy, clad in snowy white, with glittering 
diamonds and emeralds in her hair and 
at her belt. Tiny elves and gnomes perched 
about among the branches, looking saucily 
out. Strings of bright red and waxen- 
white berries were looped from twig to 
twig. Knobby, queer-shaped packages 
hung thick on the tree, and were piled in 
heaps beneath it. 

Santa Claus gazed at everything as 



' Santa Claus gazed at everything as if fascinated ” 


Page 72 










THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 73 

if fascinated, until the music died away. 

“Well, well, well!” he said slowly. “I 
thought I had seen every possible kind of 
beautiful Christmas tree, but this far ex- 
cels them all. Aren’t you going to let me 
distribute the gifts. Fairy Godmother?” 

“No,” answered Fairy Godmother. 
“You are to sit here in your armchair 
while I act as mistress of ceremonies and 
take the gifts from the tree. Dremia may 
hand them to you.” 

“All right,” said Santa Claus, as he 
sat down in his cushioned chair. “I will 
watch and see how you do it, and perhaps 
I shall be able to do it better myself next 
year.” 

“Now then, where shall we begin?” 


74 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

questioned Fairy Godmother, glancing 
quickly from the tree to the pile of gifts 
beneath it, while the rest of the company 
crowded closely around to see each pack- 
age as it was unwrapped. 

“Begin with your own, please. Fairy 
Godmother!” begged Dremia. “It is the 
biggest, and so many of the other things 
go with it that it should come first.” 

“But it isn’t here,” objected Fairy 
Godmother. 

“That doesn’t make any difference. 
Let me tell him! Ah, do, dear Fairy God- 
mother!” pleaded Dremia. And seeing 
permission in Godmother’s face, she 
turned to Santa Claus, saying: 

“Outside in your stable, Mr. Santa 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 75 

Claus, you will find a brand-new pumpkin- 
yellow sleigh — a fairy kind that will al- 
ways be big enough, no matter how much 
you may want to carry in it. Fairy God- 
mother gives you that.” 

“Ho, ho!” laughed Santa Claus. “It 
takes a fairy godmother to know just what 
one wants, doesn’t it? I was beginning 
to fear that my old sleigh would not last 
another year. Thanks from the bottom 
of my heart, kind Godmother!” 

“And from Dremia,with my aid, comes 
a magic sack for your toy pack. It, too, 
will always be large enough for whatever 
you wish to put into it,” said Fairy God- 
mother, beaming with pleasure because 
Santa Claus liked her gift so much. 


76 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“I know you, Dremia!” said Santa 
Claus, catching the little girl and giving 
her a loving squeeze. “You want me to 
bring you more toys next year than ever 
before. We’ll see about that! We’ll see 
about that.” 

“Here is another large gift,” continued 
Fairy Godmother, picking up a bulky 
package from the pile under the tree and 
reading the tag. “A pair of fur-lined boots 
from Puss in Boots. And right beside it,” 
lifting another, “is a fur cap made and 
presented by Robinson Crusoe and his 
man Friday. Next,” before Santa could 
say anything, “two fur robes from the 
Teddy bears, and,” pausing to read 
another tag, “a pair of mittens from the 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 77 

Three Little Kittens, who will always help 
you find them.” 

“Good, good!” cried Santa Claus, 
piling his treasures around him. “I 
shall be as snug as a bug in a rug. 
These young ones evidently think the 
old man needs to be taken care of. 
I’ll show them how lively I’ll get around 
next year. Jack Frost and Old Boreas 
will not have a chance to play any tricks 
on me.” 

“Jack the Giant-Killer sends a bean- 
stalk ladder for you to use in the tall 
chimneys,” continued Godmother. 

“I’ll surely use it!” replied Santa. 

“Mistress Mary sends a string of silver 
bells for the reindeers.” 


78 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“Won’t they shake their heads to hear 
them ring!” chuckled Santa. 

“Now here are some home comforts,” 
said Fairy Godmother, briskly. “From 
Aladdin is a wonderful genii lamp to hang 
in Santa Claus Hall.” And she handed it 
carefully to Santa Claus, who by this time 
was too overcome to speak. 

“A pair of spun-glass house slippers 
from Cinderella, with the hope that they 
will not be too small. This new pipe is 
from King Cole. This big brown bowl 
comes from the Three Wise Men of 
Gotham. They do not wish to go to sea 
any more. This new armchair is from the 
Three Bears, for they think you will need a 
new one after Golden Hair has been here 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 79 


to-night. It should stand on this gay 
square of carpet, sent by the Little Lame 
Prince. 

“Now, what is this?” taking in her 
hand a soft, round, warm, wriggling 
bundle. A small black head popped out 
at one end, and a faint whine was heard. 
“A puppy! As I live, a puppy! — with 
the compliments of Mother Hubbard, 
who knows there can be no nicer gift.” 

A shout of laughter arose from the 
guests as the puppy rolled and tumbled 
over Santa Claus’ feet. 

As Fairy Godmother turned back to 
the tree, a pitiful “miaow” greeted her, 
and hastily taking down a bag that hung 
on a high branch she exclaimed: 


80 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“I declare, if this isn’t a companion 
for the puppy! Big Jack Stout sends the 
pussy he pulled out of the well where little 
Johnny Green threw it.” 

Then everybody laughed again as hard 
as they could. Poor Pussy’s eyes grew 
big with fright, but Santa Claus held it 
on his knee and smoothed its soft fur 
until it was quieted. 

When the laughter had subsided. 
Fairy Godmother went on calling off 
the names rapidly: 

“An excellent broom from the Old 
Woman Who Sweeps! A basket from 
little Red Riding Hood! A sleeping pow- 
der from the Sleeping Beauty, to use when 
you are tired after your next long trip! 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 81 


A candy pig from Tom the Piper’s Son, 
to make you think of his particular friend ! 
Some fishhooks from Simple Simon, with 
a note saying it is useless for you to fish 
in his mother’s pail, for he has tried it and 
is sure there are no fish there! A flute from 
the Pied Piper that will make the children 
love you more than ever, and a tin horn 
from Boy Blue so you need not chase up 
and down so much to gather your woolly 
baa-lambs 1 Oh, Santa Claus, what a good 
time you can have!” 

“But what is this? What is this?” 
said Fairy Godmother as she stooped 
over a cradle-shaped bundle near the 
back of the tree, somewhat out of sight, 
and read the tag: 


82 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“From the Old Woman who lives in the shoe. 

She has so many children she don’t know what to do; 

So the Littlest Baby she’s sending to you, 

With a Christmas message of love so true. ” 

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Santa Claus!” cried 
the guests, doubling up with laughter. 
“Whatever will you do with the Littlest 
Baby?” 

Santa Claus gathered it tenderly in 
his arms, and cuddled it up close to his 
long white beard. “The Littlest Baby? 
What will I do with it? Why, love it and 
care for it, to be sure! Don’t you think I 
know how to care for a baby by this 
time?” 

“Here’s something else,” interrupted 
Fairy Godmother, reading: 

“From Peter Rabbit, a rabbit skin. 

To wrap the Littlest Baby in.” 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 83 

“Nothing could be better,” said Santa 
Claus promptly, taking it and wrapping 
it carefully around the Littlest Baby. 

And so Fairy Godmother went on read- 
ing the tags and handing over the pack- 
ages until Santa Claus was almost buried 
beneath the pile. Dremia thought she 
had never enjoyed a Christmas tree or 
her own gifts half so much as these given 
to Santa Claus. 

Meanwhile the little people of Santa 
Claus Land had been busy in another part 
of the hall. When Santa Claus and the 
guests finally turned their attention from 
the dismantled tree, they found a long 
table spread for the Christmas feast, and 
groaning beneath its load of dainties as 


84 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

all good Christmas tables do. Oh, such 
goodies! Fairy Godmother had ordered 
everything she could think of. She knew 
that with guests from every country under 
the sun there must be dishes to suit all 
tastes. 

At the top of the table was a boar’s 
head with an apple in its mouth; at 
the bottom an immense roast turkey; 
while scattered around were German 
Christmas cakes, dishes of macaroni, jel- 
lies, pickles, salads, vegetables, more than 
one could name or think of. It made 
one’s mouth water to see them. 

The merry company gathered around 
the table. Santa Claus was given the seat 
of honor at the head, with Dremia at his 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 85 

right hand. Fairy Godmother sat at the 
foot, and the others took their places just 
as it happened; and as they all were so 
well acquainted, every one had a jolly chat 
with those sitting next him. Fairy God- 
mother served, and kept the little people 
of Santa Claus Land busy handing plates. 

As they passed each dish, Fairy God- 
mother told which of the merry companj^ 
had brought it to the Christmas feast 
She thought they would enjoy the good 
things more if they knew where each had 
come from. 

“For our first course we have mock 
turtle soup,” said she. “Alice brought it 
from Wonderland, so you know it must be 
good. 


86 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“For the next course, little fishes 
caught by Tommy Tittlemouse and 
Daddy Catch-’em-with-a-Hook. Though 
they are small, they are certainly delicious. 

“This splendid piece of beef was sent 
by Taffy the Welshman. I did not ask 
him where he got it, but I know he came by 
it honestly. Then this nice dish of fat 
and lean meat was given by Jack and Mrs. 
Sprat. You can take whichever you pre- 
fer, and then you will be as happy as they 
are. 

“Tiny Tim could not come himself, but 
he has sent a Christmas goose, with a 
Christmas greeting to all. The duck in 
the same course came from the Little Man 
Who Had a Little Gun. 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 87 


“This bread and cheese was sent by the 
Bachelor Who Lives by Himself, and it is 
sure to be fine, for he is very careful to keep 
it on the shelf away from the rats and the 
mice. If you prefer it, however, here is 
the famous bread and honey the Queen 
likes so much, or fresh muffins made by 
the Muffin Man of Drury Lane. 

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled 
peppers and sent half of them to our 
Christmas feast. Just try them! You 
will find them very spicy. 

“Here are some beautiful eggs from the 
Big White Hare of Easter Isle, which he 
sent us for the party instead of keeping 
them to color for the children next Easter. 

“Some of you may enjoy this delicious 


88 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 


porridge from Golden Hair. It is made 
after the recipe used for the Little Wee 
Bear’s porridge which she liked so much. 

“Miss Muffet brought this big bowl 
of curds and whey, and says that the 
spider did not come anywhere near her 
while she was preparing it. 

“We have two of the choicest kinds of 
pudding — one from the Old Man with the 
Three Wishes, and the other from King 
Arthur. And King Arthur says it is all 
a mistake about his stealing three pecks 
of barley meal for the pudding. Why 
should he steal meal when he was a king 
and could have all he needed 1 We should 
have had a third pudding, but the cat 
ran away with the pudding-bag string. 



Fairy Godmother cuts the famous blackbird pie 


Page Hq 








THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 89 

SO it could not be cooked in time. It is 
lucky for the cat that he didn’t come to 
Santa Claus Hall to-night. 

“Jack Horner says this is the best 
mince pie he has ever eaten, and he has 
pulled the plums out of enough pies to be 
a good judge. In it you will find plenty 
of plums, so each of you may stick in your 
thumb and pull out one. The pumpkin 
pie is from Peter Pumpkin, made from 
one of the pumpkins in Corner Lot, and 
is the sweetest, juiciest, creamiest, spiciest 
pie that cook could make. 

“Look and listen!” said Godmother, 
calling the attention of all the guests to 
another mysterious pie before her. Care- 
fully she cut the crust. “This is the 


90 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

famous blackbird pie, sent by the King. 
Is not this a worthy dish to set before 
Santa Claus?” 

As the crust fell apart, the four and 
twenty blackbirds set up a chirping and 
twittering sweeter than any Christmas 
carol you have ever heard. 

“The Queen of Hearts has brought 
some fresh tarts which she made and 
hurried away before the Knave of Hearts 
could steal them. Have you ever eaten 
any that were better? 

“Handy Spandy Jack-a-Dandy sends 
plum cake and sugar candy. Because 
he loves them so, he had a large supply 
on hand, and sent more than enough for 
us all. 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 91 

“If you are thirsty, there is tea brewed 
by Polly-Put-the-Kettle-On, rich milk 
from the cow with the crumpled horn, 
sent by the Maiden All Forlorn, and 
sparkling spring water which Undine 
has brought. 

“Now, help yourselves, all of you! 
There is surely enough variety so that 
every one can have what he likes best.” 

For a time the clatter of dishes and 
the din of happy voices was all that could 
be heard. But gradually, as their appe- 
tites were satisfied, the guests ate more 
slowly. As they lingered over the plum 
cake and sugar candy. Fairy Godmother 
stood in her place, rapped on the table 
with her wand to command attention. 


92 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

and holding high a brimming goblet of 
sparkling water, proposed this toast: 

“Here’s to Santa Claus, best loved of 
all who live in the Children’s World — the 
one whom all delight to honor; whose 
heart is ever warm; whose laugh is ever 
hearty; whose visits ever give happiness! 
Health and long life to Santa Claus!” 

Rising from their seats with one ac- 
cord, clinking their glasses together and 
crying, “Santa Claus! Longilife to Santa 
Claus!” the guests drank the toast with 
heartiest good will and high spirits. 

Santa Claus pulled out his handker- 
chief, blew his nose with a loud blast in 
order to conceal his feelings, and at last 
finding his voice, responded: 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 93 

“Thanks, many thanks, good friends! 
You do me too much honor. For what 
would Santa Claus be without you all.^ 
How could I get along without a friendly 
fairy godmother to tell me what the 
children are longing for.? How could I 
satisfy their wishes were it not for this 
goodly company who go so willingly to 
make the children happy.? How could 
I ever fill my pack and make my rounds 
without the assistance of the energetic 
little people of Santa Claus Land.? I 
cannot tell you how I rejoice to see you 
here to-night. Let us love one another 
and always work together, our only aim 
being to make the children happier and 
better.” 


94 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“Hear, hear!” cried the guests, as 
Santa Claus sat down. 

Before Fairy Godmother could speak 
again, up rose Cinderella’s handsome 
Prince, crying gayly: 

“Another toast give I! Here’s to the 
dearest, daintiest, most bewitching little 
old lady ever known, second only to Santa 
Claus in the Children’s World! To her 
who sympathizes in their longings, who 
finds a way to grant their wishes, who 
takes them long journeys to mysterious 
places, and introduces them to wonderful 
people unknown to the grown folks! 
Here’s to her who gave me the loveliest 
bride that ever happy prince had!” 
glancing down at Cinderella blushing by 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 95 

his side. “Drink, I say, to the health of 
the Fairy Godmother!” 

Santa Claus jumped to his feet and 
led in the joyous clamor of voices that 
responded to the gay prince’s toast. 
“Fairy Godmother! Here’s to Fairy 
Godmother!” they cried again and again. 

Fairy Godmother stood on her chair 
in order to be on a level with the tallest 
of them, and shook her wand threaten- 
ingly at the happy, noisy crowd. But 
the pretended frown on her face fled before 
the twinkle in her eye. 

“Oh, you wicked lads and lasses, you! 
How shall I pay you back for this.? Shall 
I turn you all into toads and polliwogs? 
I know what I’ll do! I’ll grant you each 


96 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

your first wish. So be careful! That 
will teach you not to draw attention to a 
wrinkled old woman like me!” 

“Our first wish shall be granted!” 
called the prince. “Then let us all wish 
every possible joy to our dear Fairy God- 
mother herself!” 

“Every possible joy to our dear Fairy 
Godmother herself!” echoed every voice. 
And they laughed in their glee at having 
outwitted the jolly little lady. 

“One more toast!” called Santa Claus. 
“One more toast before our feast is ended! 
Here’s to Dremia, here’s to darling little 
Dremia, whose grateful heart and loving 
thought led to our coming together 
to-night; Dremia, who joys in Santa 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 97 

Claus, delights in the fairies, revels in toys, 
loses herself with the charming folk who 
dwell in Make-believe Land! May she 
never lose her loving child’s heart though 
she lives to be as old as the Fairy God- 
mother thinks herself to be!” bowing 
low to the beaming little old lady at the 
foot of the table. “Drink, all, to the 
health of darling Dremia!” 

Seizing the little girl, he lifted her to 
his broad shoulder, and nodding to the 
musicians, who struck up a rollicking 
tune, up and down the long hall he went, 
the guests falling in behind, dancing, 
curtsying to each other, whirling around, 
making cheeses, and cutting up a hundred 
capers. 


98 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

“A game of blindman’s buff before we 
leave!” called some one, “and Santa Claus 
must be ‘IT’.” 

“All right!” roared Santa Claus. 
“Dremia shall bind my eyes with her sash, 
and I will catch you all in a jiffy.” 

And then there was such a frolic as 
you cannot even imagine. The guests 
fled shrieking to corner and cubby, but 
all to no avail. Santa Claus made wild 
dashes this way and that. He caught 
Cinderella and Tom, the Piper’s Son, with 
one hand. Jack Horner and Sleeping 
Beauty had sought the same corner, and 
he soon found them. He pounced on 
the Queen of Hearts just in time to save 
the Frog Prince’s head, which she was 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 99 

angrily ordering off because he had got 
in her way. He fumbled in the chimney 
corner and caught King Cole, accident- 
ally knocking over his pipe and bowl and 
breaking them all to smash. 

Boy Blue and Alice from Wonderland 
had hidden under the table, but he stooped 
and dragged them out by the hair. Peter 
Rabbit and little Red Riding Hood eluded 
him for a while, but finally he cornered 
them too. Fairy Godmother was cun- 
ningly hidden behind the Littlest Baby’s 
cradle, while Dremia had hid under the 
sofa cushions. But it was no use. Santa 
Claus knew them all so well he could 
guess just where to seek them. They 
had to give up, and dropped panting 


100 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

and breathless on chairs and couches and 
on the floor. 

Just then the Littlest Baby, wakened 
by the merry-making, set up a frightened 
wail. 

“There, there! Did we wake her.^” 
soothed Santa Claus, cuddling her in his 
arms and rocking to and fro. “There, 
there! We’ll not do it any more! 

“But how are you going to get all 
these folks home. Fairy Godmother, Fd 
like to know!” 

“Why, pack them in the pumpkin 
coach and the new Santa Claus sleigh, 
and away with them!” answered Fairy 
Godmother, briskly, stepping to the great 
outside door and signaling as she spoke. 


THE PARTY AT SANTA CLAUS HALL 101 

Immediately the tinkling of the 
reindeer bells and the blowing of the coach- 
man’s horn could be heard. 

“In with you all!” commanded God- 
mother, hurrying them to the door. 

“Good night, dear Santa Claus!” they 
called as they obeyed her. “Never, no, 
never, have we had such a good time! 
Good night, Dremia ! Can you not think 
of another frolic for us some time? Good 
night! Good night!” 

Fairy Godmother and Dremia were 
the last to leave. “Good night, dear Mr. 
Santa Claus! May we come again next 
year.?” 

In a flash the impatient reindeer and 
the mouse-gray steeds vanished with 


102 A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR SANTA CLAUS 

their loads, leaving Santa Claus standing 
in the doorway, the Littlest Baby in his 
arms, the puppy tumbling about his feet, 
the pussy cat curled up on the arm of 
his chair. He shut the door and came 
slowly back to the fireplace. 

“A Christmas party for Santa Claus! 
Well, I never!” said he. 


Fairy Tales Old and New 

THE ROSE FAIRIES 

Olivia McCabe 

Illustrated in color by Hope Dunlap 

“In this beautifully colored, illustrated book, Olivia McCabe has some charm- 
ing tales of fairyland which are ever so fascinating to the child reader. Hope 
Dunlap has provided beautiful pictures in soft, nch cdors, which delight the 
eye.” Boston Budget. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

THE GARDEN OF HEART’S DELIGHT 

Ida M. Huntington 

Illustrated in color by Maginel Wright Enright 

“As an interpretation of nature suitable to children, this book is quite as 
successful as Miss Huntington’s first popular book, ‘Peter Pumpkin in Wonder- 
land.’ The pictures are a source of endless pleasure.” Galveston News. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE 

Miss Mulock 

Illustrated in color by Hope Dunlap 

“A delightful tale about ‘the most beautiful prince that ever was bom.’ Thus 
begins a most engaging story for the little ones. The beautiful illustrations in 
color are by Hope Dunlap.” Boston Globe. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

OLD FASHIONED FAIRY TALES 

Marion Foster Washburne 

Illustrated in color by Margaret Ely Webb 

These are the old, old fairy stories that children have loved for generations, 
retold from the poetic version of Tom Hood, with frequent quotations from the 
verse. The tales comprise Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, The Sleeping 
Beauty, and Hop-o’-My Thumb. “Truly the old standbys were never presented 
in more attractive form than in this beautifully illustrated book, nor have the 
tales been rendered in a form more likely to be acceptable to youthful readers 
or hearers.” 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.00 

RAND McNALLY & COMPANY 

CHICAGO NEW YORK 



Fairy Tales and Nature Stories 


JACKIEBOY IN RAINBOWLAND 

William L. Hill 

Illustrated in color by Fanny Y. Cory 

“The neatest and most origmal of the season's output of children’s books. 
The book is a classic of its kind. Jackieboy in Rainbowland will be much 
read.’’ — The Helena Daily Independent, Helena, Mont. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

EDDA AND THE OAK 

Elia Peattie 

Illustrated in color by Katharine Merrill 

“Never in the histoiy of book-making have there been such wonderfully 
attractive books for children. Among the most artistic of these is ‘Edda and 
the Oak.’ ’’ — Nashville Banner, Nashville, T enn. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

THE ENCHANTED PEACOCK 

Julia Brown 

Illustrated in black and white and color by Lucy Fitch Perkins 

“Here are stories of enchantment touched with the old spirit of romance, yet 
written for ehildren to-day. The tales are about beautiful things, told in charm- 
ing prose, which, by the way, is exquisitely illustrated by Lucy Fitch Perkins.’’ 

Chicago T ribune. 

8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 


THE LITTLE KING AND THE PRINCESS TRUE 


M - ^ f? Hardy 

Author of^'THe Hall of Shells,” and ”Sea Stories for Wonder Eyes” 


Nature stories so true, so simply and beautifully told that they have all 
the effect of fairy stories. At the same time they convey a world of informa- 
tion in a most attractive form. 

Profusely illustrated in black and white from drawings by Milo K. Winter 
and from photos. 

Si^e 8vo (For children under twelve) Price $1.25 

^ RAND McNALLY & COMPANY 


CHICAGO 


NEW YORK 












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